Update (8.30pm):
School governing body media liaison Kim Van Es said that the SGB can confirm that Williams was served with the notice of the outcome relating to the GDE’s hearing surrounding the events of the Grade 8 camp.
Van Es said, “As has previously been mentioned, we are in support of due process being followed and the rights of all parties are respected.”
Van Es said that Williams will however continue to report for duty while the process runs its course.
“We remain prepared for all eventualities and the school will continue to run uninterrupted. The staff and management remain committed to providing a world class education for our boys and ensuring that business will continue as usual,” said Van Es.
Original story:
The Gauteng Department of Education has today (12 October) confirmed that headmaster of Parktown Boys High School, Malcolm Williams was issued with a dismissal notice.
This follows the death of Grade 8 learner Enock Mpianzi on 15 January this year while on a Grade 8 orientation camp at the Nyati Bush and River Break in Brits. This was Enock’s first day of school at Parktown Boys. It was believed that he drowned while undertaking a raft-building activity. His body was only found on 17 January.
Spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education Steve Mabona said, “Mr Williams has been charged with three allegations of misconduct emanating from the incident which occurred on 15 January 2020 where he unjustifiably prejudiced the administration, discipline or efficiency of the department.”
The department alleges that Williams undertook or caused the school to undertake an excursion to Nyati Bush and River Break in Brits for Grade 8 orientation without prior approval from the Department of Education.
The second allegation is that he failed to ensure that proper roll call for all learners at the excursion was maintained.
The final allegation, which he has not been found guilty of, is that he endangered the lives of the learners on the camp by disregarding safety rules and regulations and failed to ensure that all learners who were to participate in water activities were provided with life jackets, leading to the death of Enock Mpianzi.
Mabona stressed the fact that Williams was found guilty of the first two allegations but not the third.
“The Presiding Officer has, after careful consideration of mitigating and aggravating circumstances, dismissed him accordingly,” said Mabona.
Williams has the right to appeal to the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) against the findings by the Presiding Officer within five working days of receiving the dismissal notice.
The Gazette has requested comment from the school governing body concerning the matter and will update the story as soon as comment is received.
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